On December 9, 1963, Johnson moved to the Ministry of Education as the government sought to cope with the educational requirements of a rapidly expanding baby-boom population. He held this position until September 24, 1968,[1] and was responsible for, among other achievements, the establishment of the universities of Winnipeg and Brandon, respectively, and the Manitoba Institute of Technology (later 'Red River Community College'), and for introducing the policy of "shared services" for public and separate schools (allowing children in separate schools to access public programs for busing, textbooks and the like). In 1968, Johnson returned to his old portfolio as Minister of Health, to oversee an historic change in the provision of medical services: the implementation of medicare in Manitoba.[1]

Ideologically, Johnson was a progressive, often referred to as (somewhat erroneously) a Red Tory with beliefs similar to those held by Premier Roblin.[citation needed] Along with Roblin, he is considered by historians to be the leading political reformer of his generation and among the most influential cabinet ministers in Manitoba history.[citation needed] Although generally a free marketeer, Johnson supported government intervention in the economy in certain areas, for example, in such areas as public utility management, education, major infrastructure projects and certain medical services. When Roblin shifted to federal politics in 1967, Johnson was the only candidate from the Progressive Conservative Party's progressive wing to seek its leadership. A late entry into the leadership race hurt his campaign and while he was the alternative choice for leader among many delegates, the fact that Johnson did not survive to the later balloting prevented him from emerging as the possible compromise choice for party leader among delegates.

Leaving medicine again for the public arena in 1978, Johnson served for the subsequent eight years as a special consultant to the Manitoba government, providing strategic advice and counsel to the government in various areas of health policy. On December 11, 1986, in "recognition of his services to the people of Manitoba", he was appointed as the province's lieutenant governor by Governor GeneralJeanne Sauvé, on the advice of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. He served in this position until March 5, 1993.[1]

In his career, the governments of Canada and Iceland conferred on Johnson the highest civilian honours that can be bestowed on their respective citizens: the Order of Canada in 1994, and the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 1992. He was also awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from three universities: Manitoba, Winnipeg and Royal Roads (1992–95).[1]

Johnson died in 1995 in Gimli.[1] His wife, the former Doris Blondal, died the following year. They had six children and ten grandchildren. Their daughter Janis was a Manitoba senator for twenty six years.[3]

Just prior to her installation as Governor General, Jean was granted a personal coat of arms that depicted her Haitian roots.

Adopted

December 16, 1991

Crest

Issuant from a coronet érablé Argent a falcon Azure wings addorsed Argent and Gules wearing a coronet of crosses patté Argent bearing in its dexter talon six ears of wheat leaved Or

Escutcheon

Azure an Icelandic falcon (Falco rusticolus islandicus) displayed Argent gorged with a leather thong pendant therefrom a winged heart Gules bearing in its dexter talon a rod of Aesculapius Or and in its sinister talon a bishop's crozier also Or

Supporters

Dexter a horse Argent crined, langued, queued and unguled Gules gorged with a collar Azure pendant therefrom a hurt charged with an artist's palette Or and paintbrush Gules Sinister a buffalo Argent langued, horned and unguled Gules gorged with a collar Azure pendant therefrom a hurt charged with an anchor Or

Compartment

A grassy mound scattered with Prairie crocus flowers proper

Motto

NEVER UNPREPARED

Orders

The ribbon and insignia of a Companion of the Order of Canada.DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM(They desire a better country)